Not quite finished yet, but I love these little guys and the officer allmost seems to be looking down at them as they follow his horse. I'm tempted to keep the trio as a little vignette.
Sunday, 15 February 2015
Thursday, 12 February 2015
The End of Season Finale
Early in the Campaign, the army of Fellschlosschen descended on Pilsner and occupied it in a brilliant coup de main. Work was swiftly put in hand to strengthen the city's defenses and stocks of materiel were built up. By taking Pilsner, Fellschlosschen had secured a major objective, but had uncovered their line of supply to their depot at Hopgarten.
Sure enough, news soon reached them that Gelbehandtasche troops were marching on Hopgarten. However intelligence also reached the garrison that Campari was moving his forces North and making a bid for capital.
At dawn one morning, the Dukes forces arrived, their crimson uniforms bright against the snow. General Soda, as impatient as ever, ordered and immediate assault, hoping to catch the garrison off their guard.
However it was not a success - perhaps the atrocious weather, the effects of a long march or news that border town of Kaltenberg and the Dukes personal baggage had been captured by the Archbishop of Hoegaarden's forces, caused the attack to falter and break on the stout defenses of Pilsner.
As the snow began again, Campari's men turned and trudged back down the road they had come.
Month 2 - Hoegaarden vs Crabbei
The Hoegaarden army advanced from its depot to try and eliminate the recently defeated men from Crabbei who were recovering at Grimbergen. The weather had taken a turn for the worst and many men fell out, suffering from the bitter cold.
The Blau and Gelbe units halted an fired into Grimbergen, supported by artillery who were able to deploy within cannister range of the town, causing heavy casualties.
The Horse Grenadiers galloped on across the frozen fields of Grimbergen and threatened the Crabbei guns at which point Crabbei sued for peace. General Leffe, aware that the foe was defeated decided that there was little point in taking further casualties, and accepted the surrender, graciously allowing Massey's men to leave the field, but insisting on retaining the guns as tropies!
A hard march back to Veltin for Massey's men, however at least they were retiring to their own country.
In a swift action, the archbishops men marched down the main road towards the village of Grimbergen where Massey had his main force.
Meanwhile the Hoegaarden cavalry swept round the far left wing to take the Crabbei flank and drive it in. The Grenadiers pinned one unit in place with musketry while the Dragoons charged down on its unsupported flank.
On the opposite flank, Crabbei's dragoons had their state's only real success when they caught the Hoegaarden Jaegerkorps in the open and rode them down. No cover was provided by the widely spaced pines trees and the jaeger were unable to retire quickly enough! A unit of Austrian infantry hired out to Hoegaarden traded volleys with one of Masseys units, casting a nervous eye on the Crabbei dragoons who were sabering the remaining Jaeger. However, finishing their work that unit had decided that the battle was already lost, and headed for open country and home!
The Blau and Gelbe units halted an fired into Grimbergen, supported by artillery who were able to deploy within cannister range of the town, causing heavy casualties.
The Horse Grenadiers galloped on across the frozen fields of Grimbergen and threatened the Crabbei guns at which point Crabbei sued for peace. General Leffe, aware that the foe was defeated decided that there was little point in taking further casualties, and accepted the surrender, graciously allowing Massey's men to leave the field, but insisting on retaining the guns as tropies!
A hard march back to Veltin for Massey's men, however at least they were retiring to their own country.
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
Campaign Kick Off - the Bier War Begins.
Last night saw the first battle of the Bier Wars - a stiff and murderous action between the armies of the effete and dissolute Duke of Campari and Count Massey of Crabbei - a wild and bearded fellow, of Scots-Hungarian extraction
Both armies, eager to snatch territory from defenceless Staropramen, marched from their respective depots. From Kaltenberg in the south, Campari's men, it seemed, had the longer legs. Elements of that army advanced, and upon encountering word of the enemy approach, took up position on high ground, overlooking the road.
Crabbie's army arriving from Veltin and deploying from the road had the greater numbers to begin with. Seeing the high ground and wood at its foot, they decided march round this to attack the position from the flank.
However by the time that they had arrived and deployed in position, the bulk of the Duke's of Campari's army, led by the ruthless and efficient General Soda and accompanied by the Duke in person, had arrived on the field and deployed on what was, effectively the flank of the Count's army.
Caught between the small force on the hill and the now active reinforcements from Campari, Crabbei was unable to manoeuvre his army to full advantage, and came under fire from both artillery and infantry muskets.
Only in the south, where his cavalry were screening his opposite flank, was the Count able to achieve much.
As the shadows began to lengthen, Crabbei's men began to draw off. In the gloom and smoke they were able to break off and retreat. Campari, satisfied with the results, and perhaps giving rather more thought to the evening's victory celebration and his personal involvement in it, did not pursue and Soda was forced to make arrangements for the advance to continue. In the morning, and nursing many a sore head, and other parts, the Duke's army was able to take possession of Massey's depot at Veltin. The Count, stung by his losses and the need to rescue his army had moved away from the enemy rather than back on his depot. Gradually through the night, stragglers made it to his encampment but his losses had been heavy. Few units had escaped without serious loss.
But what of the other states?
To the east, Hoegaarden sat and waited. The Archbishops forces had not fully mustered and one unit had not received its uniform coats. Knowing that an encounter was likely between two if not more of the other states it suited his grace to sit and then perhaps fall upon a weakened foe.
In the west, in high hilly Tuoberg, Marshall Guinness and his band of mercenaries also sat tight, waiting for the snow to clear from the passes. Further north in Gelbehandtasche, the army marched on Lowenbrau whilst Feldschlossen's forces occupied Urquell. Already much of Staropramen was occupied and its Capitol, Pilsner, under threat.
Both armies, eager to snatch territory from defenceless Staropramen, marched from their respective depots. From Kaltenberg in the south, Campari's men, it seemed, had the longer legs. Elements of that army advanced, and upon encountering word of the enemy approach, took up position on high ground, overlooking the road.
Crabbie's army arriving from Veltin and deploying from the road had the greater numbers to begin with. Seeing the high ground and wood at its foot, they decided march round this to attack the position from the flank.
However by the time that they had arrived and deployed in position, the bulk of the Duke's of Campari's army, led by the ruthless and efficient General Soda and accompanied by the Duke in person, had arrived on the field and deployed on what was, effectively the flank of the Count's army.
Caught between the small force on the hill and the now active reinforcements from Campari, Crabbei was unable to manoeuvre his army to full advantage, and came under fire from both artillery and infantry muskets.
Only in the south, where his cavalry were screening his opposite flank, was the Count able to achieve much.
As the shadows began to lengthen, Crabbei's men began to draw off. In the gloom and smoke they were able to break off and retreat. Campari, satisfied with the results, and perhaps giving rather more thought to the evening's victory celebration and his personal involvement in it, did not pursue and Soda was forced to make arrangements for the advance to continue. In the morning, and nursing many a sore head, and other parts, the Duke's army was able to take possession of Massey's depot at Veltin. The Count, stung by his losses and the need to rescue his army had moved away from the enemy rather than back on his depot. Gradually through the night, stragglers made it to his encampment but his losses had been heavy. Few units had escaped without serious loss.
But what of the other states?
To the east, Hoegaarden sat and waited. The Archbishops forces had not fully mustered and one unit had not received its uniform coats. Knowing that an encounter was likely between two if not more of the other states it suited his grace to sit and then perhaps fall upon a weakened foe.
In the west, in high hilly Tuoberg, Marshall Guinness and his band of mercenaries also sat tight, waiting for the snow to clear from the passes. Further north in Gelbehandtasche, the army marched on Lowenbrau whilst Feldschlossen's forces occupied Urquell. Already much of Staropramen was occupied and its Capitol, Pilsner, under threat.
Sunday, 1 February 2015
The Hoegaarden Militia
Eagle Miniatures make up this unit of militia, with a command figure from Perry.
The Eagle figures are slender, and in places a little rough and "old school", but these are nice and represent a hastily formed unit of citizen burghers, townspeople rather than farmers.
Two remaining infantry units to paint up - Roos and Grün.
The final roster will be
The Grenadiers
Blau
Gelb
Rot
Roos
Grün
Jäeger
Milita
Horse Grenadiers
Dragoons
Mounted Jaeger
The Artillery
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